Not a bad idea for a compilation--a collection of songs from industrial bands fronted by female vocalists. If, as many critics claim, male-dominated industrial dance music is just so much posturing, this disc just might be the antidote, a riot-grrrl equivalent for the latex-and-fishnets crowd. And even though Diva X Machina goes for quantity over quality, there are some gems to be mined here, at least once you get past the heavy-metal-isms of the first few tracks. Hexedene, a collaborative project between New Mind"s Jonathan Sharp and vocalist Katie Helsby, contribute "Turn," a dance-friendly cut made atmospheric by Helsby"s voice; Collide contribute a mix of "Beneath the Skin," an ethereal composition interspersed with bursts of guitar; Regenerator offer up "Rush," one of the stronger songs from their Soulseeker album; and the always-brilliant Attrition remix their mid-"80s hit (well, as close to a hit as they were going to get, anyway) "I Am" with a trip-hop sensibility and add mournful strings. Still, in the end, although Diva X Machina may be conceptually great, check out the second volume for a slightly better execution. --Steve Landau